{"id":18351,"date":"2026-06-29T19:14:32","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T23:14:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/chronic-total-occlusion-cto-of-a-coronary-artery-medical-overview\/"},"modified":"2026-07-02T14:16:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T18:16:13","slug":"chronic-total-occlusion-cto-of-a-coronary-artery-medical-overview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/chronic-total-occlusion-cto-of-a-coronary-artery-medical-overview\/","title":{"rendered":"Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) of a Coronary Artery: Medical Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"18351\" class=\"elementor elementor-18351 elementor-18318\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fb9dedb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fb9dedb\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-088fd76\" data-id=\"088fd76\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26379fa elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"26379fa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) of a Coronary Artery: Medical Overview<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1dd6986 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"1dd6986\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-6610920 elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"author\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/author\/icardio\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-author\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-info__item-prefix\">\u00c9crit par<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ticardio\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-a890a19 elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/2026\/06\/29\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-info__item-prefix\">Publi\u00e9 le <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time>29 June 2026<\/time>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4cc21ce elementor-widget elementor-widget-elementskit-breadcrumb\" data-id=\"4cc21ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"elementskit-breadcrumb.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ekit-wid-con\" ><ol class=\"ekit-breadcrumb\"><li class=\"ekit_breadcrumbs_start\"><a href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/\">Home<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d446bdb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d446bdb\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-54eda83\" data-id=\"54eda83\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2caa6b47 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2caa6b47\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-featured-image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1254\" height=\"1254\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/coeur-route.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-18352\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/coeur-route.png 1254w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/coeur-route-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/coeur-route-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/coeur-route-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/coeur-route-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1254px) 100vw, 1254px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9d1f7d8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9d1f7d8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c21dbd e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6c21dbd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-513dab8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"513dab8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A <strong>chronic total occlusion (CTO)<\/strong> is a coronary artery that has been completely obstructed for at least three months.<\/p><p>Despite this blockage, some people experience no symptoms because of the gradual development of small blood vessels called <strong>collateral arteries<\/strong>. These natural bypass vessels allow the heart muscle to continue receiving part of the oxygen it needs.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6bf6fb e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f6bf6fb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7756687 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7756687\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18ab37c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"18ab37c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/plugins\/elementor\/assets\/images\/placeholder.png\" title=\"\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a4a6e01 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a4a6e01\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b3f5c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3b3f5c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/plugins\/elementor\/assets\/images\/placeholder.png\" title=\"\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e41480 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9e41480\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eaaf204 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"eaaf204\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed36984 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ed36984\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In others, the reduced blood supply causes <strong>chest pain (angina)<\/strong>, <strong>shortness of breath<\/strong>, or a reduced ability to exercise. Coronary artery disease, however, may also progress silently. As a result, some chronic total occlusions are discovered incidentally during tests performed for unrelated reasons.<\/p><p>When symptoms persist despite <strong>optimal medical therapy<\/strong>, a specialized procedure may be recommended to reopen the artery and improve quality of life.<\/p><p><strong>Also read:<\/strong> <em>Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) of a Coronary Artery: A Patient&#8217;s Perspective<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c397687 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c397687\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8bb3623 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8bb3623\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-023a594 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"023a594\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In most cases, this type of blockage develops gradually over many years as a result of slowly progressive <strong>coronary artery disease<\/strong>. To better understand how an artery can become completely obstructed, it is helpful to briefly review the role of the coronary arteries and the processes that gradually narrow them before eventually leading to complete blockage.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8374dd2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8374dd2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb97b6b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"fb97b6b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5518d65 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5518d65\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Oxygen: Essential for the Heart<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7d643a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d7d643a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e725835 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e725835\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7067b64 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7067b64\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The heart is a muscle that works continuously, beating day and night without stopping. To function properly, it requires a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients.<\/p><p>This supply is provided by the <strong>coronary arteries<\/strong>, which deliver oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-880b5aa e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"880b5aa\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac9a801 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ac9a801\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/coeur-carburant-1024x579.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4923\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/coeur-carburant-1024x579.png 1024w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/coeur-carburant-300x170.png 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/coeur-carburant-768x434.png 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/coeur-carburant-1536x869.png 1536w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/coeur-carburant-2048x1159.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ee2870 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5ee2870\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c2db0bc e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c2db0bc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24de737 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"24de737\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>When blood flow through a coronary artery is reduced\u2014or stops completely\u2014the amount of oxygen reaching the heart muscle becomes insufficient. Depending on the severity of the blockage and how gradually it developed, the reduced blood supply may cause no noticeable problems or may eventually damage the heart muscle.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a67585 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4a67585\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6fa06c9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6fa06c9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c12c41c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c12c41c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Coronary Arteries<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-842f5fe e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"842f5fe\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8796e20 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8796e20\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f1e38f4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f1e38f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The heart receives its blood supply from two main arteries: the left coronary artery and the right coronary artery. Both originate directly from the aorta, the body&#8217;s largest artery, which carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body.<\/p><p>These two arteries branch extensively over the surface of the heart, forming a network that supplies every region of the heart muscle with the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function properly.<\/p><p><strong>Also read:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/the-coronary-arteries\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><em>The Coronary Arteries<\/em><\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f776aee e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f776aee\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-981bf5e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"981bf5e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/coronary-arteries.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3675\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/coronary-arteries.jpg 1014w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/coronary-arteries-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/coronary-arteries-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2080e2b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2080e2b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f50241a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f50241a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-540f8b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"540f8b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Atherosclerotic Plaques<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-962606e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"962606e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In the vast majority of cases, coronary artery disease is caused by atherosclerosis, the condition responsible for the formation of atherosclerotic plaques inside the arteries.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6b76f1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d6b76f1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e04705 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5e04705\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33ba4a8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"33ba4a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Atherosclerosis begins with the <strong>buildup of cholesterol<\/strong> within the inner lining of the arterial wall. This accumulation triggers an inflammatory response. Cells called <strong>macrophages<\/strong>, <strong>whose role is to remove waste<\/strong> and harmful substances from the body, absorb the cholesterol. As they become filled with fat, they eventually become trapped within the artery wall. When they die, they release their contents, <strong>further fueling the inflammatory process<\/strong>.<\/p><p>The body attempts to repair this damaged area by forming a layer of fibrous tissue, similar to a scar, over the plaque. This protective layer helps stabilize the plaque. Over time, calcium deposits may also accumulate, making the plaque harder and less flexible.<\/p><p><strong>Also read:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/plaque-datherome-atherosclerose\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><em>Atherosclerotic Plaque<\/em><\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ddea2ef e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ddea2ef\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3561f30 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3561f30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"396\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/plaque-chol-artere.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5844\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/plaque-chol-artere.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/plaque-chol-artere-300x149.jpg 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/plaque-chol-artere-768x380.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8412573 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8412573\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-323117a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"323117a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5b492b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f5b492b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A Disease That Develops Gradually<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-124f699 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"124f699\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Atherosclerosis usually <strong>progresses over many years<\/strong>, often without causing any symptoms. Some plaques remain stable, while others continue to grow, gradually narrowing an artery and, in some cases, eventually blocking it completely.<\/p><p>A chronic total occlusion (CTO) may result from:<\/p><ul><li>the gradual progression of a narrowing until the artery becomes completely blocked;<\/li><li>a previous heart attack that leaves a coronary artery permanently occluded;<\/li><li>changes occurring in a coronary artery that has already been bypassed with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. In these cases, blood flow is maintained by the bypass graft while the native artery may eventually close completely.<\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>As long as the bypass graft continues to function well, no additional treatment is usually required. However, if the graft itself narrows or becomes blocked, reopening the native coronary artery may be considered.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9939b8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d9939b8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ebee223 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ebee223\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-715b9b3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"715b9b3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chronic Total Occlusion<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ee1262 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4ee1262\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>When a coronary artery remains completely blocked for at least three months, it is referred to as a chronic total occlusion (CTO).<\/p><p>Blood can no longer flow through the blocked artery. Nevertheless, the portion of the vessel beyond the obstruction may continue to receive blood through neighboring coronary arteries.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60551b0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"60551b0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-04c2841 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"04c2841\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/route-bouchee-300x300.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-18353\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/route-bouchee-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/route-bouchee-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/route-bouchee-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/route-bouchee-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/route-bouchee.png 1254w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6805360 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6805360\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa3bf74 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"fa3bf74\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f6c411 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0f6c411\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A Natural Detour Around the Blockage<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b062ae e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8b062ae\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-985bf93 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"985bf93\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b59dd8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5b59dd8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>As a coronary artery gradually becomes blocked, the heart may compensate by developing small blood vessels that bypass the obstruction.<\/p><p>These vessels, known as <strong>collateral arteries<\/strong>, may arise from the artery before the blockage or from neighboring coronary arteries. They function much like secondary roads that allow traffic to bypass a closed highway.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-adac457 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"adac457\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e9a07ed e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e9a07ed\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3385c1e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3385c1e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The development of collateral circulation <strong>varies greatly from one person to another<\/strong>. In some individuals, it is sufficient to maintain an adequate blood supply to the heart muscle, particularly at rest. In others, it remains poorly developed and cannot adequately compensate for the blockage.<\/p><p>Why some people develop an extensive collateral network while others develop very little collateral circulation is still not fully understood.<\/p><p>Even when well developed, collateral arteries have limited capacity. They help keep the heart muscle beyond the blockage alive, but they generally cannot replace the normal blood flow provided by a healthy coronary artery.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eec97cd e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"eec97cd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-69a718b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"69a718b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-04b97ed elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"04b97ed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Common Is It?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9252f0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f9252f0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a278fa3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a278fa3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e7fe4c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2e7fe4c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A chronic total occlusion (CTO) is more common than many people realize. It is estimated that <strong>about one in five people (20%)<\/strong> with coronary artery disease has at least one coronary artery that has been completely blocked for several months.<\/p><p>Among patients who have previously undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, this proportion is even higher, affecting <strong>nearly one in two (50%)<\/strong>.<\/p><p>Despite its frequency, not every CTO requires treatment. In many people, symptoms are well controlled with medication, while in others, the collateral circulation provides enough blood flow to meet the heart muscle&#8217;s needs, particularly at rest.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9fa3621 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9fa3621\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4493a85 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4493a85\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/calcul-1024x768.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-12160\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/calcul-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/calcul-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/calcul-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/calcul.png 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-90bc6a3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"90bc6a3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f97d07f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f97d07f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-973fcfb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"973fcfb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Symptoms\u2026 or No Symptoms at All<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f563c7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4f563c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Learning that a coronary artery is completely blocked <strong>often comes as a surprise<\/strong>, especially when no symptoms are present.<\/p><p>Whether symptoms develop\u2014and how severe they become\u2014depends on several factors, including the amount of heart muscle supplied by the blocked artery, the extent of the collateral circulation, and the heart&#8217;s oxygen requirements.<\/p><p>Symptoms usually appear when the heart muscle requires more oxygen than can be delivered by the blocked artery and its collateral vessels. This most often occurs during physical activity, emotional stress, or other situations that increase the heart&#8217;s workload.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64c0d28 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"64c0d28\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c155a7 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9c155a7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-987d09b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"987d09b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The <strong>most common symptoms<\/strong> include:<\/p><ul><li>chest pain or pressure (angina), usually during physical activity;<\/li><li>shortness of breath;<\/li><li>unusual fatigue;<\/li><li>reduced ability to perform physical activities or everyday tasks.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-679adc1 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"679adc1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35fec92 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"35fec92\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/douleur_thoracique-300x199.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-4913\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/douleur_thoracique-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/douleur_thoracique-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/douleur_thoracique.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a2d0e24 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a2d0e24\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65939dd e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"65939dd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-df28f73 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"df28f73\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In some people, particularly older adults and those living with diabetes, symptoms may be subtle or atypical. Conversely, some CTOs remain completely silent and are discovered incidentally during tests performed for unrelated reasons.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e86ec41 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e86ec41\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d8978de e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d8978de\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3187c77 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3187c77\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">When Should Treatment Be Considered?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72812c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"72812c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Contrary to what many people believe, a chronic total occlusion (CTO) <strong>does not always require treatment.<\/strong><\/p><p>In many cases, symptoms can be managed successfully with medication, healthy lifestyle habits, and the heart&#8217;s natural collateral circulation. In these situations, <strong>regular medical follow-up is often all that is needed.<\/strong><\/p><p>However, when symptoms persist despite optimal medical therapy\u2014particularly disabling angina or significant shortness of breath\u2014<strong>reopening the blocked artery<\/strong> <strong>may be recommended.<\/strong><\/p><p>The <strong>main goals<\/strong> of treatment are to:<\/p><ul><li>relieve symptoms;<\/li><li>improve quality of life;<\/li><li>increase exercise capacity;<\/li><li>restore blood flow to the heart muscle.<\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>The decision to proceed with treatment is always individualized. It takes into account several factors, including the severity of symptoms, their impact on daily life, the results of diagnostic tests, the characteristics of the blockage, and the expected benefits and potential risks of the procedure.<\/p><p>The final decision is made jointly by the patient and the healthcare team to determine the approach that offers the greatest potential benefit for each individual.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ebd0b61 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ebd0b61\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f1d8364 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f1d8364\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/questions1-1024x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-15952\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/questions1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/questions1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/questions1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/questions1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/questions1-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/questions1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e307bcb e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e307bcb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2139b9e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2139b9e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ea7b3f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ea7b3f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Once the Decision Has Been Made<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3693f55 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3693f55\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Once treatment has been recommended and accepted, the healthcare team coordinates every step leading up to the intervention. The following stages are designed to ensure the procedure is carried out under the safest possible conditions while answering any remaining questions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8dba54a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8dba54a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-158aab6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"158aab6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-031912f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"031912f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Scheduling the Procedure<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b1cf4b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8b1cf4b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Patients do not usually need to schedule a chronic total occlusion (CTO) procedure themselves. In most cases, <strong>the cardiologist responsible for follow-up sends a request to a specialized center<\/strong>, usually after a coronary angiogram.<\/p><p data-start=\"516\" data-end=\"701\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">The procedure is then scheduled as an elective intervention, typically within a few days to a few weeks, depending on the patient\u2019s clinical condition and the center\u2019s availability.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-58ef9de e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"58ef9de\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2fd880 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e2fd880\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/calendrier-1-300x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-3992\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/calendrier-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/calendrier-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/calendrier-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/calendrier-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/calendrier-1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-218fe59 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"218fe59\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0595b27 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0595b27\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1a4f45 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b1a4f45\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Pre-Admission Assessment<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39b30f1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"39b30f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Depending on the patient&#8217;s medical condition and the hospital&#8217;s usual practice, a pre-admission visit may be scheduled before the intervention. However, this step is not necessary in every case.<\/p><p>During this visit, blood tests and an electrocardiogram (ECG) may be performed. The healthcare team also reviews current medications and confirms that everything is in place to perform the procedure safely.<\/p><p>This appointment is an opportunity to explain what to expect, answer any remaining questions, and review the instructions to follow before hospitalization.<\/p><p>If a pre-admission visit is planned, patients should bring an up-to-date list of all their medications.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2015441 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2015441\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68fcaba e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"68fcaba\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6cd2da3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6cd2da3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Informed Consent<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dbe2856 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dbe2856\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Before the procedure, an informed consent form must be signed.<\/p><p>This document confirms that the purpose of the procedure, how it is performed, its expected benefits, and its potential risks have all been explained. It is much more than an administrative form\u2014it is an essential step that allows patients to make a free and informed decision.<\/p><p>It is also the best time to ask any remaining questions, clarify uncertainties, or discuss any concerns. Feeling anxious before a cardiac procedure is entirely normal, but patients should never hesitate to ask for additional explanations. The healthcare team is there to provide guidance and answer every question.<\/p><p>Signing the consent form is entirely voluntary, and consent may be withdrawn at any time, even after it has been signed.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf3ea28 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cf3ea28\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ada983d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ada983d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/consentement-1024x682.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-8426\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/consentement-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/consentement-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/consentement-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/consentement.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9f53283 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9f53283\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a34a35c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a34a35c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6305acb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6305acb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Are the Risks?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a092d5c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a092d5c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Like any medical procedure, treating a chronic total occlusion (CTO) involves certain risks.<\/p><p>For most people, <strong>the greatest concern is naturally the risk of death<\/strong>. Fortunately, when the procedure is performed by an experienced CTO team, this risk remains low\u2014approximately <strong>1%<\/strong>. In patients who have previously undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery or who have particularly complex coronary anatomy, the risk may increase to <strong>1\u20132%<\/strong>.<\/p><p>Every treatment decision involves <strong>balancing the expected benefits against the potential risks<\/strong>. When a cardiologist recommends reopening a CTO, it is because a careful evaluation indicates that the anticipated benefits outweigh the risks associated with the procedure.<\/p><p><strong>The main risks<\/strong> include:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Arterial perforation (approximately 1%)<\/strong> \u2013 A tear in the artery may allow blood to collect around the heart (cardiac tamponade). This complication may require emergency drainage with a needle followed by placement of a small drainage catheter.<\/li><li><strong>Emergency heart surgery (less than 1%)<\/strong> \u2013 In rare cases, emergency cardiac surgery may be required if the complication cannot be managed using catheter-based techniques.<\/li><li><strong>Death (approximately 1%)<\/strong> \u2013 This risk may increase to <strong>1\u20132%<\/strong> in patients who have previously undergone coronary artery bypass surgery.<\/li><li><strong>Bleeding (2\u20133%)<\/strong> \u2013 Bleeding most often occurs at the catheter insertion site in the wrist or groin. Most cases are treated without surgery.<\/li><li><strong>Stroke (less than 0.5%)<\/strong> \u2013 Although uncommon, stroke is a recognized risk of any complex coronary intervention.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-259d9fb e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"259d9fb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0eab075 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0eab075\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/risques-procedure-1024x512.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-8314\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/risques-procedure-1024x512.png 1024w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/risques-procedure-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/risques-procedure-768x384.png 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/risques-procedure.png 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf20c46 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bf20c46\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57ee87f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"57ee87f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-293f677 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"293f677\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Some complications are <strong>more specific to CTO procedures<\/strong>.<\/p><p>Because these procedures often take longer than a standard coronary angioplasty, <strong>exposure to X-rays is greater<\/strong>. In rare cases, this may cause skin irritation or a superficial skin burn. Thanks to modern imaging equipment, this complication has become very uncommon.<\/p><p><strong>The amount of<\/strong> <strong>contrast dye<\/strong>\u2014the liquid injected to make the coronary arteries visible on X-rays\u2014is also greater than during a routine coronary angioplasty. In people whose kidney function is already reduced, this dye may occasionally cause a temporary decline in kidney function. Preventive measures, including intravenous hydration when appropriate, are routinely used to minimize this risk.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-240151e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"240151e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b9a0665 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b9a0665\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a326b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3a326b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Day of the Procedure<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c40e3c8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c40e3c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>For many patients, this experience is very similar to having a coronary angiogram. The preparation, the setup in the catheterization laboratory, and the overall course of the intervention are much the same.<\/p><p><strong>Also read:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/coronarography\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><em>Coronary Angiography<\/em><\/span><\/a><\/p><p>Treatment usually requires a one-day hospital stay. In most cases, patients are asked not to eat or drink after midnight the night before, unless they have received specific instructions regarding their medications.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9493434 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9493434\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c8cac52 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c8cac52\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-176ea8a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"176ea8a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><strong>Preparation<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p>Upon arrival, a nurse welcomes the patient and prepares everything for the intervention. After changing into a hospital gown, one or two intravenous (IV) lines are inserted to administer fluids and medications if needed.<\/p><p>The wrist and both groins are usually prepared because more than one arterial access site may be required.<\/p><p>Patients are encouraged to empty their bladder before being taken to the cardiac catheterization laboratory. If a lengthy intervention is anticipated, a urinary catheter may occasionally be recommended to improve comfort.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8a8071d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8a8071d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec67000 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ec67000\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee4b251 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ee4b251\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><strong>In the Catheterization Laboratory<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p>The patient is positioned on the procedure table while the medical team prepares a sterile field using precautions similar to those employed in an operating room to minimize the risk of infection.<\/p><p>As with a coronary angiogram, local anesthesia is administered at the arterial access sites. Sedative medications are then given to help the patient relax throughout the intervention.<\/p><p>General anesthesia is usually not required. Patients may drift in and out of sleep while remaining able to answer questions and communicate with the medical team.<\/p><p>The catheterization laboratory is kept cool to ensure the proper functioning of the X-ray equipment. Blankets are provided to help maintain comfort.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d127af e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3d127af\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f583ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1f583ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/coronarographie-2-1024x614.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1341\" alt=\"Coronarographie\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/coronarographie-2-1024x614.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/coronarographie-2-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/coronarographie-2-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/coronarographie-2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6bae3f2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6bae3f2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-654d951 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"654d951\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-574f72b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"574f72b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A More Challenging Procedure<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-073b523 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"073b523\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Although many aspects are similar to those of a coronary angiogram or a routine coronary angioplasty, treating a chronic total occlusion (CTO) is considerably more challenging.<\/p><p>In a conventional angioplasty, the cardiologist treats a narrowed artery through which blood is still able to flow.<\/p><p>When the artery is completely blocked, the first challenge is <strong>to find\u2014or recreate\u2014a pathway through the occluded segment<\/strong> before normal blood flow can be restored.<\/p><p>This is why the procedure requires specialized techniques, advanced equipment, and a carefully planned strategy tailored to each patient&#8217;s coronary anatomy.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0b1e559 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0b1e559\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-66ac2d9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"66ac2d9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f1dce53 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f1dce53\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Imaging: The Key to Success<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9a368a2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9a368a2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The success of the procedure depends largely on the quality of the images obtained during the intervention.<\/p><p><strong>By injecting contrast dye simultaneously through different catheters, the cardiologist can visualize the artery on both sides of the blockage<\/strong>. The collateral arteries often help define the exact course of the occluded segment.<\/p><p>These images provide essential information, including:<\/p><ul><li>the length of the blockage;<\/li><li>the amount of calcium present;<\/li><li>the degree of vessel tortuosity (curvature);<\/li><li>the quality of the collateral circulation.<\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Together, these findings guide the choice of technique and play a crucial role in maximizing the likelihood of success.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6595b8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f6595b8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-591d308 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"591d308\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/mqC3CpSfXVw?si=jUWCsPZEy6n1Q3PN&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;play_on_mobile&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;mute&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf60475 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cf60475\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f1f86f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5f1f86f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d51f5af elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d51f5af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Is the Blocked Artery Reopened?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f1f2c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6f1f2c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Depending on the characteristics of the blockage, two main approaches may be used.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed8da3f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ed8da3f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f91595f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f91595f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e7a86f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8e7a86f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Antegrade Approach<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2426cce elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2426cce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>With the antegrade approach, the guidewire is advanced in the <strong>normal direction of blood flow<\/strong>, starting at the beginning of the blocked artery.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d98255 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6d98255\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b00445d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b00445d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-869973a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"869973a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"765\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Antegrade-CTO-PCI-Pre-1024x979.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-18354\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Antegrade-CTO-PCI-Pre-1024x979.png 1024w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Antegrade-CTO-PCI-Pre-300x287.png 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Antegrade-CTO-PCI-Pre-768x734.png 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Antegrade-CTO-PCI-Pre.png 1256w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65bdcc2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"65bdcc2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ebeba0e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ebeba0e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"759\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/anterograde-fleche-1024x971.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-18355\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/anterograde-fleche-1024x971.png 1024w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/anterograde-fleche-300x284.png 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/anterograde-fleche-768x728.png 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/anterograde-fleche.png 1288w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a518d3d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a518d3d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5b8846 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f5b8846\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c39c98 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4c39c98\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"665\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Antegrade-CTO-PCI-Final-1024x851.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-18356\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Antegrade-CTO-PCI-Final-1024x851.png 1024w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Antegrade-CTO-PCI-Final-300x249.png 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Antegrade-CTO-PCI-Final-768x638.png 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Antegrade-CTO-PCI-Final.png 1219w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-425515d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"425515d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d610330 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d610330\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-110c34f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"110c34f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Retrograde Approach<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7da508 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f7da508\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>With the retrograde approach, the cardiologist advances through the collateral arteries to reach the artery beyond the blockage before<strong> working backward through the occluded segment<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dbc09ad e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"dbc09ad\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d5d2a3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3d5d2a3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37e65c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"37e65c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"762\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Retrograde-CTO-PCI-Pre-1024x975.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-18357\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Retrograde-CTO-PCI-Pre-1024x975.png 1024w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Retrograde-CTO-PCI-Pre-300x286.png 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Retrograde-CTO-PCI-Pre-768x731.png 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Retrograde-CTO-PCI-Pre.png 1347w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52abb67 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"52abb67\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-219e87a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"219e87a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"833\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Retrograde-fleche-983x1024.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-18359\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Retrograde-fleche-983x1024.png 983w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Retrograde-fleche-288x300.png 288w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Retrograde-fleche-768x800.png 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Retrograde-fleche.png 1229w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8fb5972 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8fb5972\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ffb9cb2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ffb9cb2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c4c857 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2c4c857\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"803\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Retrograde-CTO-PCI-Final-1020x1024.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-18358\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Retrograde-CTO-PCI-Final-1020x1024.png 1020w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Retrograde-CTO-PCI-Final-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Retrograde-CTO-PCI-Final-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Retrograde-CTO-PCI-Final-768x771.png 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Retrograde-CTO-PCI-Final.png 1354w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b01115 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3b01115\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d752e4d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d752e4d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53cff14 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"53cff14\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The choice of approach depends entirely on the patient&#8217;s coronary anatomy and the characteristics of the blockage.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9dadfe0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9dadfe0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa33a11 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"fa33a11\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-97b1a59 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"97b1a59\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Advanced Equipment<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2365288 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2365288\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Crossing a completely blocked coronary artery requires equipment specifically designed for these highly specialized procedures.<\/p><p data-start=\"1245\" data-end=\"1386\">The cardiologist uses guidewires that are extraordinarily thin\u2014barely thicker than a human hair\u2014along with specially designed microcatheters.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47055a9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"47055a9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-122812b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"122812b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46c3f51 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"46c3f51\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>When the blockage cannot be crossed directly, it may sometimes be necessary <strong>to temporarily create a pathway between the different layers of the arterial wall<\/strong>, bypass the obstruction, and then return to the inside of the artery.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65865e3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"65865e3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2840481 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2840481\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"289\" height=\"185\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/intima-media-adven.gif\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4537\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ca7404d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ca7404d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c0e72ae e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c0e72ae\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ec970e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3ec970e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Continuous advances in guidewire technology, microcatheters, and imaging systems have dramatically improved the success rates of <strong data-start=\"1818\" data-end=\"1836\">this treatment<\/strong> over the past decade.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17cfeb5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"17cfeb5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9396aee e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9396aee\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c22ed68 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c22ed68\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Reopening the Artery<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a88576 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7a88576\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Once the blockage has been crossed, the guidewire serves as a rail that allows small balloons to be advanced into the occluded segment. These balloons are gradually inflated to create a new passage through the obstruction.<\/p><p>Drug-eluting <strong>stents<\/strong>\u2014small metal mesh tubes coated with medication\u2014are then deployed to keep the artery open and maintain long-term blood flow.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a079324 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a079324\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4614f19 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4614f19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"493\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Ballon-et-stent-1-1024x631.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-8149\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Ballon-et-stent-1-1024x631.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Ballon-et-stent-1-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Ballon-et-stent-1-768x473.jpg 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Ballon-et-stent-1.jpg 1100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32c94ce e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"32c94ce\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-afd2788 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"afd2788\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36e6998 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"36e6998\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Long Does the Procedure Take?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c21ac8a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c21ac8a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Reopening a\u00a0chronic total occlusion (CTO)\u00a0generally takes longer than a conventional angioplasty.<\/p><p>The procedure typically lasts between\u00a0<strong>90 minutes and 4 hours<\/strong>, depending on the complexity of the blockage.<\/p><p>It requires a high level of precision, adaptability, and sometimes several attempts before the blockage can be successfully crossed. Patience, the expertise of the medical team, and the technologies available all play an essential role in achieving a successful outcome.<\/p><p>Throughout the procedure, patients should report any discomfort so that medications can be administered, if necessary, to improve their comfort.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55450ad e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"55450ad\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-15c2b20 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"15c2b20\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cde1aa3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cde1aa3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Success Rates<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b22fee7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b22fee7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>When performed by experienced operators, current techniques are successful in <strong>approximately 90% of cases.<\/strong><\/p><p data-start=\"992\" data-end=\"1156\">Results depend on several factors, including the complexity of the blockage, the anatomy of the coronary arteries, and the expertise of the interventional team.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2634278 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2634278\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-731270c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"731270c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/succes-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-7701\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/succes-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/succes-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/succes-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/succes.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e06eda9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e06eda9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49c6791 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"49c6791\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bdafa0a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bdafa0a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Are the Expected Benefits?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-00a05ed elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"00a05ed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>When reopening the blocked artery successfully restores adequate blood flow, most patients experience an improvement in symptoms during physical activity.<\/p><p>This usually translates into <strong>better exercise tolerance<\/strong> and an improved <strong>quality of life<\/strong>.<\/p><p>In some patients, particularly when the heart muscle remains viable, <strong>partial recovery of heart function<\/strong> may also occur. In carefully selected cases, restoring blood flow may also have a favorable impact on long-term prognosis.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f1d059 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7f1d059\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7029b80 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7029b80\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d0906e4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d0906e4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">After the Procedure<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f9fc84 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7f9fc84\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Most patients remain in the hospital <strong>overnight<\/strong> for routine monitoring.<\/p><p>During the first few days, it is recommended to avoid soaking the catheter insertion sites in water. Baths and swimming are generally discouraged for <strong>3 to 4 days<\/strong>, although showering is permitted.<\/p><p>Physical activity can usually be resumed gradually after a few days, depending on individual recovery. Most patients are able to return to work within the first week, depending on the nature of their occupation. The appropriate timing should always be discussed with the healthcare team.<\/p><p>Driving should also be avoided for <strong>48 hours<\/strong> following the procedure.<\/p><p>If significant pain, bleeding, or an enlarging lump develops at the catheter insertion site, prompt evaluation in an emergency department is recommended.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a2d02c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0a2d02c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aebb30b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"aebb30b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb12468 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"eb12468\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Preventing Blood Clots Inside the Stent<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4899ede elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4899ede\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Following <strong>stent implantation<\/strong>, medication is essential to prevent the formation of a blood clot inside the stent\u2014a complication known as <strong>stent thrombosis<\/strong>.<\/p><p>Treatment usually consists of <strong>dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT)<\/strong>:<\/p><ul><li><strong>aspirin<\/strong>, which is generally continued long term;<\/li><li><strong>a second antiplatelet medication<\/strong>, prescribed for at least several months\u2014often up to one year, and sometimes longer depending on the clinical situation.<\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Strict adherence to this treatment is essential to keep the artery open and minimize the risk of stent thrombosis.<\/p><p><strong>Also read:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/about-coronary-stents\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><em>About Coronary Stents<\/em><\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c7f4957 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c7f4957\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b9adbcc elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b9adbcc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"666\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/aspirine-1024x852.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11526\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/aspirine-1024x852.png 1024w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/aspirine-300x250.png 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/aspirine-768x639.png 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/aspirine.png 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e557463 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e557463\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c9927a4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c9927a4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ee91c4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4ee91c4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Never stop taking an antiplatelet medication during the first year after stent implantation without first consulting your cardiologist\u2014even before dental work or any surgical procedure.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-104f90d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"104f90d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed9d45e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ed9d45e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"268\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/attention-300x268.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-4584\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/attention-300x268.png 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/attention-1024x915.png 1024w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/attention-768x686.png 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/attention.png 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49f3fc2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"49f3fc2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dbf21df e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"dbf21df\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-218ba65 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"218ba65\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Follow-Up Care<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c7d859 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8c7d859\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-effccb3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"effccb3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-56d4e61 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"56d4e61\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Any concerns related to treatment should be discussed with a physician familiar with coronary interventions, ideally a cardiologist.<\/p><p>Over the months following stent implantation, the artery gradually heals and forms a new layer of tissue over the stent. Depending on the patient&#8217;s progress, this healing process may eventually allow the second antiplatelet medication to be discontinued\u2014but <strong>only on the recommendation of the treating cardiologist.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67cee2f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"67cee2f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c36d4df e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c36d4df\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bfa7dac elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bfa7dac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Conclusion<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c0682b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9c0682b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A chronic total occlusion (CTO) of a coronary artery is a <strong>common condition<\/strong> that may <strong>develop silently over many years<\/strong>. In some individuals, collateral arteries partially compensate for the blockage, while in others, symptoms such as angina or shortness of breath gradually appear.<\/p><p><strong>Recent advances<\/strong> have transformed the management of CTOs. Specialized techniques, increasingly sophisticated equipment, advanced imaging technologies, and dedicated teams in specialized centers have significantly improved both the <strong>success rates<\/strong> and the safety of these procedures.<\/p><p>When appropriate, reopening the blocked artery can relieve symptoms, improve exercise capacity, and enhance quality of life for most patients. In selected individuals, it <strong>may also promote partial recovery of heart function.<\/strong><\/p><p>The decision to proceed with treatment is always <strong>individualized.<\/strong> It is based on a careful assessment of symptoms, the characteristics of the blockage, the expected benefits, and the potential risks of the procedure.<\/p><p>A good understanding of the condition, careful adherence to medical therapy, and regular follow-up with the healthcare team remain the best ways to achieve durable, long-term results.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c59d2a6\" data-id=\"c59d2a6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5307c9f elementor-search-form--skin-classic elementor-search-form--button-type-icon elementor-search-form--icon-search elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-6511 elementor-global-3416 elementor-widget-search-form\" data-id=\"5307c9f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;skin&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"search-form.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<search role=\"search\">\n\t\t\t<form class=\"elementor-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/\" method=\"get\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-search-form__container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<label class=\"elementor-screen-only\" for=\"elementor-search-form-5307c9f\">Search<\/label>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<input id=\"elementor-search-form-5307c9f\" placeholder=\"Search...\" class=\"elementor-search-form__input\" type=\"search\" name=\"s\" value=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<input type='hidden' name='lang' value='en' \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"elementor-search-form__submit\" type=\"submit\" aria-label=\"Search\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-font-icon-svg-container\"><svg class=\"fa fa-search e-font-icon-svg e-fas-search\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M505 442.7L405.3 343c-4.5-4.5-10.6-7-17-7H372c27.6-35.3 44-79.7 44-128C416 93.1 322.9 0 208 0S0 93.1 0 208s93.1 208 208 208c48.3 0 92.7-16.4 128-44v16.3c0 6.4 2.5 12.5 7 17l99.7 99.7c9.4 9.4 24.6 9.4 33.9 0l28.3-28.3c9.4-9.4 9.4-24.6.1-34zM208 336c-70.7 0-128-57.2-128-128 0-70.7 57.2-128 128-128 70.7 0 128 57.2 128 128 0 70.7-57.2 128-128 128z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/form>\n\t\t<\/search>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-515dff8d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"515dff8d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-72235494\" data-id=\"72235494\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-144c634 elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-6517 elementor-global-3406 elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"144c634\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Share this article<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8ff6802 uael-share-buttons--view-text elementor-share-buttons--align-center uael-stylex-inline elementor-grid-0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-6519 elementor-global-3396 elementor-widget-uael-social-share\" data-id=\"8ff6802\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;alignment&quot;:&quot;center&quot;,&quot;row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:15,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_size&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:0.75,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;em&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:5,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;columns&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;column_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;column_gap_laptop&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;column_gap_tablet_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;column_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;column_gap_mobile_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;column_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;row_gap_laptop&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;row_gap_tablet_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:0,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;row_gap_mobile_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_size_laptop&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_size_tablet_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_size_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_size_mobile_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_size_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_height_laptop&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_height_tablet_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;em&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_height_mobile_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;em&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;border_size&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:2,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;border_size_laptop&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;border_size_tablet_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;border_size_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;border_size_mobile_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;border_size_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"uael-social-share.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"uael-style-inline uael-container uael-floating-align-\" data-pin_data_url=\"\" data-share_url_type=\"current_page\" data-share_url=\"\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid uael-floating-align-\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation-pulse uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-boxed\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFacebook\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-twitter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation-pulse uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-boxed\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTwitter\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation-pulse uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-boxed\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLinkedin\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-whatsapp\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation-pulse uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-boxed\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhatsapp\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-email\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation-pulse uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-boxed\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmail\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-print\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation-pulse uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-boxed\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrint\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-a28e6b8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a28e6b8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-44961b4\" data-id=\"44961b4\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e389d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-6513 elementor-global-3413 elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1e389d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Related articles<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67df5ad elementor-grid-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-left elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-6521 elementor-global-3422 elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"67df5ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;classic_columns&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:20,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_row_gap_laptop&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_tablet_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_mobile_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.classic\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-classic elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-6411 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-general-en tag-articles-mis-de-lavant-2 tag-articles-mis-de-lavant-en-2\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/tiredness\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/coeur-fatigue-300x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-6008\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/coeur-fatigue-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/coeur-fatigue-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, 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class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-8145 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-coronary-heart-diseases category-general-en category-valvular-cardiovascular-diseases tag-article-mis-de-lavant-en tag-articles-mis-de-lavant-en\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/about-coronary-stents\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/coeur-metal-300x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-8146\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/coeur-metal-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/coeur-metal-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/coeur-metal-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/coeur-metal.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/about-coronary-stents\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tAbout Coronary Stents\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\t10\/07\/2024\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/about-coronary-stents\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about About Coronary Stents\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead more \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-10762 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-general-en category-prevention-en tag-articles-mis-de-lavant-en\" 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class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/the-automated-external-defibrillator-aed\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tThe Automated External Defibrillator (AED)\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\t11\/01\/2025\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/the-automated-external-defibrillator-aed\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about The Automated External Defibrillator (AED)\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead more \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-246972f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"246972f\" 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data-settings=\"{&quot;classic_columns&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:20,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_row_gap_laptop&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_tablet_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_mobile_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.classic\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-classic elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-18456 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-actualite category-prevention tag-articles-mis-de-lavant\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/the-heart-never-takes-a-vacation\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/coeur-plage-cocktail-300x200.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-18457\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/coeur-plage-cocktail-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/coeur-plage-cocktail-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/coeur-plage-cocktail-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/coeur-plage-cocktail.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/the-heart-never-takes-a-vacation\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tThe Heart Never Takes a Vacation\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\t20\/07\/2026\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/the-heart-never-takes-a-vacation\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about The Heart Never Takes a Vacation\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead more \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-18351 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-coronary-heart-diseases category-valvular-cardiovascular-diseases tag-articles-mis-de-lavant-en\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/chronic-total-occlusion-cto-of-a-coronary-artery-medical-overview\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/coeur-route-300x300.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-18352\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/coeur-route-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/coeur-route-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/coeur-route-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/coeur-route-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/coeur-route.png 1254w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/chronic-total-occlusion-cto-of-a-coronary-artery-medical-overview\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tChronic Total Occlusion (CTO) of a Coronary Artery: Medical Overview\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\t29\/06\/2026\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/chronic-total-occlusion-cto-of-a-coronary-artery-medical-overview\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) of a Coronary Artery: Medical Overview\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead more \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-18220 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-valvular-cardiovascular-diseases tag-articles-mis-de-lavant-en\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/acute-pericarditis-overview\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Coeur-feu-300x200.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-18221\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Coeur-feu-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Coeur-feu-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Coeur-feu-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Coeur-feu.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/acute-pericarditis-overview\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tAcute pericarditis \u2013 Overview\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\t14\/06\/2026\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/acute-pericarditis-overview\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Acute pericarditis \u2013 Overview\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead more \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-18188 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-food tag-articles-mis-de-lavant-en\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/sage-parsnip-ravioli-with-beet-and-turnip-carpaccio-and-orange-vinaigrette\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"206\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Raviole-de-panais-a-la-sauge-300x206.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-18189\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Raviole-de-panais-a-la-sauge-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Raviole-de-panais-a-la-sauge.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/sage-parsnip-ravioli-with-beet-and-turnip-carpaccio-and-orange-vinaigrette\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tSage Parsnip Ravioli with Beet and Turnip Carpaccio and Orange Vinaigrette\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\t13\/06\/2026\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/sage-parsnip-ravioli-with-beet-and-turnip-carpaccio-and-orange-vinaigrette\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Sage Parsnip Ravioli with Beet and Turnip Carpaccio and Orange Vinaigrette\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead more \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-18130 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-clinical-research tag-articles-mis-de-lavant-en\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/clinical-research-advancing-medicine\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Coeur-Recherche-300x200.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-18131\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Coeur-Recherche-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Coeur-Recherche-1024x684.png 1024w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Coeur-Recherche-768x513.png 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Coeur-Recherche.png 1535w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/clinical-research-advancing-medicine\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tClinical Research: Advancing Medicine\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\t12\/06\/2026\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/clinical-research-advancing-medicine\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Clinical Research: Advancing Medicine\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead more \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-18052 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-exams tag-articles-mis-de-lavant-en\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/long-term-external-cardiac-monitoring\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"202\" src=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/coeur-tatou-300x202.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-18053\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/coeur-tatou-300x202.png 300w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/coeur-tatou-1024x689.png 1024w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/coeur-tatou-768x516.png 768w, https:\/\/icardio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/coeur-tatou.png 1029w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/long-term-external-cardiac-monitoring\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tLong-Term External Cardiac Monitoring\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__meta-data\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-post-date\">\n\t\t\t10\/06\/2026\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/long-term-external-cardiac-monitoring\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Long-Term External Cardiac Monitoring\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead more \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A chronic total occlusion (CTO) is a coronary artery that has been completely blocked for several months. Learn about its symptoms, diagnostic tests, risks, and the treatment options available to reopen the artery and improve quality of life. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":18352,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[60,57],"tags":[65],"class_list":["post-18351","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-coronary-heart-diseases","category-valvular-cardiovascular-diseases","tag-articles-mis-de-lavant-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18351","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18351"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18351\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18397,"href":"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18351\/revisions\/18397"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18352"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18351"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18351"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/icardio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18351"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}